Risk-on sentiment elevates global stocks

19 September, 2017

“Risk-on” was the name of the game during Monday’s trading session with World stocks marching into uncharted territories as tensions eased on the Korean peninsula.

Most Asian Indexes received further support from the easing geopolitical tensions during early trading on Tuesday and European equities are likely to benefit from the renewed appetite for risk. Wall Street stole the spotlight on Monday, as both the S&P 500 Index and Dow Jones Industrial Average, sprinted to record levels ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting. The combination of resilient oil prices, rising optimism over the global economy and receding geopolitical tensions are likely to excite equity bulls- consequently fueling the stock market rally.

BoE’s Carney strikes again

Market player’s instinctively offloaded the British Pound on Monday, following Bank of England Governor Mark Carney’s comment that any future interest rate hike would be limited and gradual.

Carney’s statement that a rate increase could be “at a gradual pace and to a limited extent” felt like a diluted version of the central bank’s hawkish message last week, with a touch of caution added. Although Sterling managed to rebound from the 1.3500 level this morning, the skepticism over the Bank of England actually raising UK interest rates this year, could create some headwinds for bulls down the road. As actions speak louder than words there is a threat of Sterling finding itself exposed to downside shocks if the BoE fail to raise rates this year.

Investors will be watching to see if the central bank raises interest rates in an effort to tame inflation, or if it is forced to remain on standby amid the Brexit uncertainty.

From a technical standpoint, the GBPUSD remains healthily bullish on the daily charts. The weekly close above 1.3500 should encourage a further appreciation towards 1.3700. In an alternative scenario, sustained weakness below 1.3500, is likely to trigger a technical correction lower towards 1.3350.

Dollar wobbles ahead of FOMC meeting

The Dollar struggled to maintain gains against a basket of major currencies on Tuesday morning, as market players positioned for September’s FOMC meeting, which could offer clues on future monetary policy.

While the central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, investors will be paying very close attention to any details on when the Fed plans to shrink its mammoth $4.5 trillion balance sheet. With Investors still re-evaluating the Federal Reserve’s ability to raise US interest rates in December, attention will be directed towards Yellen and her thoughts on the recent inflation trends in the U.S. A hawkish Yellen, who leaves the doors open for another rate hike before year-end is likely to offer the Dollar a lifeline.

The Dollar Index remains bearish on the daily charts. Repeated weakness below 91.50 should encourage a further depreciation towards 91.00.

Commodity spotlight – Gold

Gold was under intense selling pressure on Monday as the risk-on mood encouraged investors to offload safe-haven assets. Stabilizing oil prices and easing North Korea tensions have played a leading role in Gold’s sharp decline with price trading around $1308 as of writing. This tough tug of war between bulls and bears seems to be coming to an end with a break below $1300 simply handing control over to sellers.

From a technical standpoint, a breakdown below the tough $1300 support should encourage a further decline towards $1280. In an alternative scenario, if $1300 defends then price could bounce back towards $1315.

The usage of this website constitutes acceptance of the following legal information. Any contracts of financial instruments offered to conclude bear high risks and may result in the full loss of the deposited funds. Prior to making transactions one should get acquainted with the risks to which they relate. All the information featured on the website (reviews, brokers' news, comments, analysis, quotes, forecasts or other information materials provided by Forex Ratings, as well as information provided by the partners), including graphical information about the forex companies, brokers and dealing desks, is intended solely for informational purposes, is not a means of advertising them, and doesn't imply direct instructions for investing. Forex Ratings shall not be liable for any loss, including unlimited loss of funds, which may arise directly or indirectly from the usage of this information. The editorial staff of the website does not bear any responsibility whatsoever for the content of the comments or reviews made by the site users about the forex companies. The entire responsibility for the contents rests with the commentators. Reprint of the materials is available only with the permission of the editorial staff.